By Grace, Not Speed: How Crawling Saints Still Make It Home

Not every Christian walks boldly. Some limp. Some crawl. Some weep and drag their bruised hearts forward with more questions than answers. But if grace has hold of them, they’re still moving—and they’re still His.

There’s a quote I’ve often come back to:

“I’m not who I want to be, but thank God I’m not who I was.”

It isn’t just an encouragement. It’s a confession. A defiant whisper of gratitude in the middle of the mess.

Assurance of salvation doesn’t come from perfection. It doesn’t come from strong emotions or faultless performance. It comes from the faithfulness of a God who finishes what He starts—even when His saints stumble all the way to the finish line.

Romans 7: The Struggle That Proves You Belong

The apostle Paul, near the height of his ministry, penned these words:

“I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate… I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out… Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?” —Romans 7:15, 18, 24

This is not the cry of a hypocrite. It is the confession of a man fully aware of his sin—and fully assured of his Savior.

If you’ve ever wept over your failures, hated your sin, and felt like a spiritual contradiction—you’re in the company of the apostle Paul. You’re in the grip of grace. And grace does not let go.

The Passover: Faith's Strength vs. Faith’s Object

There’s a powerful story, retold by many (notably R.C. Sproul), about the night of the first Passover in Egypt. Two Israelites, both having followed the Lord’s command, painted their doorposts with lamb’s blood and waited.

One is calm, confident in God’s word. The other is anxious, fearful that the angel of death may still take his son.

But come morning? Both are saved.

Why?

Because salvation didn’t depend on the strength of their confidence, but on the blood of the lamb.

In the same way, our assurance is not rooted in how strong we feel—but in how sure Christ’s sacrifice stands.

“By Perseverance the Snails Made It to the Ark”

You’ve probably seen this quote floating around: short, humorous, and piercing.

“By perseverance the snails made it to the ark.”

It’s one thing to know that grace saves. It’s another to trust that grace is enough for someone who moves slowly, who stumbles often, who wonders daily if they’ll ever overcome.

But it is.

The Christian life is not a 40-yard dash. It’s a long obedience in the same direction. And even if you limp all the way to the ark of Christ, He will keep you.

Because the point is not how fast you arrive. The point is that you are His—and He brings you in.

When Satan Reminds You You're a Sinner

Martin Luther once wrote (paraphrased):

“When the devil throws my sins in my face and declares that I deserve death and hell, I tell him this: ‘Yes, and what of it? I know I deserve death and hell. For I know One who suffered and made satisfaction on my behalf. His name is Jesus Christ, Son of God—and where He is, there I shall be also.’”

And in another place, he famously said:

“When Satan tells me I am a sinner, he comforts me immeasurably—because Christ died for sinners.”

The enemy wants to make your sin the final word. But Christ already shouted “It is finished.”

The devil may accuse you—but Christ intercedes. The law may condemn you—but grace justifies. Your heart may tremble—but God does not change.

Philippians 1:6 – The Nail in the Ground

“I am sure of this: that He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.”

This is your anchor.

God does not start what He will not finish. He doesn’t adopt children only to abandon them. He doesn’t call sinners only to leave them in despair.

If you have been made new, however slowly that newness unfolds—you will be completed. Not because you are strong, but because He is faithful.

Final Word: Assurance for the Crawling Christian

So here you are—still fighting, still clinging, still hoping.

• You’ve got regrets.

• You’ve got battles.

• You’re tired.

But you’re still trusting Jesus. That alone is evidence that He is at work.

Your feelings will rise and fall. Your discipline will rise and fall. But your Savior? He never will.

He will hold you fast.

 He will finish the work.

 He will carry you home—even if you arrive crawling.